With the growing number of seniors suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other mental disorders, finding effective ways to keep them safe is an increasing challenge. Modern technology offers solutions for these issues. Despite the fact you are an elderly person looking for an answer to the question “how to find my phone location by number” or you are caring for a family member with Alzheimer's disease, you will find this article useful.
Alzheimer's Disease Overview
First of all, let us consider some statistics. In 2023, approximately 6.7 million Americans aged 65 years or older were living with Alzheimer's disease. According to CDC, this number is projected to nearly triple to 14 million people by 2060. At the same time, Alzheimer's disease is the 6th leading cause of death among US adults and the 5th among those aged 65 and older.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-70% of cases (according to the WHO). Below you can find our overview to help you understand this complex condition.
Key сharacteristic of the disorder is progressive nature. Alzheimer's disease worsens over time. Initially, symptoms might be mild, e.g., forgetting recent events or familiar tasks, but they gradually become more severe and lead to significant memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes.
Early symptoms of this disorder include difficulty in planning or solving problems, memory loss, confusion with time or place, trouble understanding visual images, changes in mood. With the progress of the disease symptoms worsen and include severe memory losses, difficulty with language and thought processes, disorientation, and inability to perform daily tasks.
Causes and risk factors of the illness are unknown exactly. But age (most common in those 65 or older); genetics (genetic mutations, especially in early-onset forms); lifestyle (smoking, lack of exercise, and poor diet); and environmental factors matter. Risk factors include advancing age, family history, and certain genetic changes.
Tips for Caregivers of Alzheimer's Patients
Taking care of people with Alzheimer's disease requires patience, compassion, and understanding. Below you can find some comprehensive tips to help caregivers provide the best care for people with Alzheimer's.
Create a safe and supportive environment and eliminate the danger of tripping, install handrails and provide good lighting in the rooms. Use locks on cabinets with dangerous items. Reduce clutter and simplify the environment to minimize confusion and stress.
Establish a routine and develop a daily routine to provide a sense of stability and reduce anxiety. You also should be flexible and patient, allowing extra time for tasks and being prepared to adapt the routine as needed.
Promote physical health and encourage physical activities e.g., walking, gardening, or simple exercises to maintain physical health and improve mood. Ensure a nutritious diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins for the patient. Also make sure the patient drinks enough water.
Try to support cognitive function and provide ill people with activities stimulating the mind, such as puzzles, games, reading, or listening to music. Use calendars, clocks, and labels on drawers and cabinets to help with orientation and memory.
Communicate with them effectively. Use clear, straightforward language. Speak slowly and calmly. Pay attention to body language and facial expressions to understand their needs and feelings. Try to be patient and give them time to respond. Avoid interrupting or correcting them harshly.
Try your best to respond to difficult behaviors with patience and calmness. Redirect attention to a different activity if the person becomes agitated or upset. Try to identify and avoid triggers that may cause distress or agitation.
Encourage social Interaction. Organize visits from family and friends to provide social interaction and emotional support. Participate in common activities or support groups designed for people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.
Provide emotional support. Acknowledge their feelings and reassure them, even if their concerns are unfounded. Offer physical comfort, such as holding hands or gentle hugs, to provide reassurance and a sense of security.
Stay updated on the disease. Learn the symptoms of the disease and its progression to better understand the needs of the person you are caring for.Consider attending workshops or training sessions for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients.
And last but not least: remember to care for yourself. Take breaks and use respite care services to prevent burnout. Join caregiver support groups to share experiences and receive emotional support. Make time for your own health and well-being, including regular exercise, healthy eating, and leisure activities.
Your help, understanding and care is the best thing a person with Alzheimer's can experience. But, based on the sad statistics above, we can conclude that we need to find other convenient and reliable ways to protect and care for people with Alzheimer's disease.
A Shift to Technology
Fortunately, new ways of caring for people with Alzheimer's disease are now available. One of the most convenient tools for care and treatment has been location tracking apps. Due to a combination of GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular data technologies, these apps calculate patients' locations and provide their safety and the peace of mind of their caregivers. Below you can find out the way these apps can be useful in Alzheimer's care.
Features to Look for in Location Tracking Apps
Remember it's essential to consider features improving safety, ease of use, and reliability when choosing a location tracking app to take care of people with Alzheimer's. Let us mention the key features to look for in the apps below.
Real-time tracking: ability to provide relevant and precise location information.
Geofencing: setting up safe zones or places with automatic alerts if the user leaves these areas.
Emergency alerts: an SOS button or similar feature to notify caregivers immediately in case of an emergency.
Battery life: long-lasting battery or battery-saving features to ensure the device remains operational when needed.
Ease of use: user-friendly interface for both the elderly user and their caregivers.
Durability: services that withstand daily wear and tear, including water-resistant or shock-resistant ones.
Privacy and security: Advanced data protection measures to ensure user privacy and prevent unauthorized access.
The choice of the right location tracking app can greatly improve the safety and wellbeing of people with Alzheimer's disease. Focus on the above features to ensure comprehensive and effective care and receive a long-awaited peace of mind.
The List of Top Apps for Caregivers to Pay Attention To
We would like to share with you our list of top location tracking apps. These apps provide advanced features e.g., real-time tracking, geofencing, emergency alerts etc. to greatly improve the care and security of elderly patients with Alzheimer’s. Below you can study some of the top apps for caregivers to consider and integrate into their care routines.
Number Tracker
Number Tracker is a popular family location-sharing app. The app's comprehensive features and user-friendly interface make it ideal for caregivers needing to monitor multiple family members, ensuring their loved ones' safety and well-being.
Key Features:
The app provides precise and relevant up-to-the-minute location information for all family members.
It allows users to set up safe places (for example home, shops, hospitals or other places) and alerts when someone enters or leaves these zones.
Due to the location tracking feature, caregivers will be able to analyze the usual routes of a person and the building and sharing route option will help you track the path and prevent the person with Alzheimer’s from wandering.
The built-in AI assistant of the app will analyze usual routes, prompt caregivers deviations from familiar itinerary and offer safer options. Now all caregivers rest assured they will be able to quickly help their elderly relative in case of danger.
Safe365
Safe365 is designed with elderly care in mind and offers features to help monitor and support senior family members. Safe 365's reliable safety features e.g., tracking, fall detection, and health monitoring, make it a versatile tool for caring for elderly patients.
Key Features:
The app monitors the current location of elderly family members due to real-time tracking
Safe365 automatically detects falls and sends alerts to caregivers.
It Helps ensure that elderly patients take their medications on time.
The app also check physical activity and health indicators
AngelSense
Angel Sunset is designed to protect vulnerable people (i.e. children and elderly patients), and offers reliable tracking and communication features. Angel Sunset's tracking accuracy and communication capabilities ensure the peace of mind of caregivers and allow them to respond quickly to any emergency situations.
Key Features:
The app provides continuous and precise updates on the user's current location.
It allows caregivers to speak directly to the user through the device, or listen to the environment around the user to assess their situation and respond accordingly.
Allows caregivers to review the user's daily routes and location history and identify any deviations from their usual patterns.
Alzheimer’s & Dementia GPS Tracker
This specialized app (specifically designed for people with Alzheimer's and dementia) aims to increase safety and provide simple tracking solutions that will help caregivers monitor and protect their loved ones. This app has a user-friendly design and is available for the patients, as well as for their caregivers.
Key Features:
Caregivers can set up virtual safe zones around specific areas
It allows multiple caregivers to access the app and monitor the user's location, ensuring continuous supervision and shared responsibility.
The app offers real-time tracking of the user's location and allows caregivers to monitor their movements constantly and be sure they are safe
Practical Recommendations for Using These Apps
Current technology and location tracking apps, can make caring for seniors with Alzheimer's and other mental illnesses a lot easier. However it's important to set up and use them correctly to maximize their effect. Below you will find out some practical suggestions to help you make the best use of these apps.
Set up the app properly. Follow the app’s instructions carefully to ensure it’s set up correctly. Verify that it’s accurately tracking the patient’s location before relying on it for safety.
If possible, explain the purpose of the device to the patient. Involve them in the process to reduce resistance and increase cooperation.
Remember to regularly monitor the app. Constantly check the app to ensure it’s functioning correctly. Stay updated with any software upgrades or new features that enhance its reliability.
Combine these tools with other safety measures. Use location tracking apps in conjunction with other safety measures e.g., ID bracelets and home safety modifications, for comprehensive care.
Final Points:
The use of location tracking apps significantly improves care for seniors with Alzheimer's disease and other mental disorders. These technologies keep them safe and their caregivers calm by providing accurate location information and allowing for quick response to any changes. The right choice and customization of such apps, combined with other safety measures, can significantly improve patients' quality of life and ease the tasks of their families.